A smartphone for kids or teens is usually seen in a negative light but with caution and proper guidance, it can prove to be a huge asset. It can be used for attending online/virtual classes, staying connected with family and friends, and staying updated with the modern world’s advancements.
The best thing is you do not have to get the most expensive and feature-rich smartphone for your kid. There are plenty of budget-friendly options and some of them even come with parental controls and features. The latter can be the ideal pick for parents looking for extra peace of mind. Here are the best smartphones for kids and teens in 2024.
The Pixel 8a is an Android smartphone that offers Pixel experience on a budget. It sports a 6.1-inch Full HD+ OLED display. There is a Tensor G3 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 64MP dual rear camera setup. The battery capacity is 4,492mAh with 18W fast charging. The phone has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
If you want to give an iPhone to your kid without spending a lot, the iPhone 14 is a balanced pick. It launched way back in 2022 but still performs well. The iPhone 14 sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED display with HDR10/Dolby Vision support. The processor is Apple A15 Bionic paired with 6GB of RAM and 12MP dual rear cameras. The best part is since it is now an old-generation iPhone, you can get it quite cheap, especially in renewed/furbished condition.
The iPhone SE (2022) i.e. 3rd Generation is the most affordable iPhone you can get. However, its smaller display and outdated design might be a dealbreaker for some. It has a 4.7-inch IPS LCD display with 1334 x 750 pixels resolution. There is an A15 Bionic processor, 4GB RAM, and a 12MP single rear camera. The iPhone has Touch ID as the fingerprint scanner integrated within the home button.
If you are interested in a budget Android smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G should be on your list. The phone has a 6.5-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it has the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor coupled with 8GB of RAM. The phone has a 50MP triple rear camera setup and a 5,000mAh battery.
Bark Phone is a smartphone based on the Samsung Galaxy A13 but heavily focused on security and privacy. It has a starter plan for $39 per month which offers unlimited calls and texts but no apps/internet access. Other plans aka Advanced plans offer WiFi-only access for $49/month, 4GB data for $59/month, 8GB data for $69/month, and unlimited data for $89/month.
Parents can easily customize apps, social media platforms, and internet access for their kids and teens. It offers a comprehensive suite of parental controls.
The Pinwheel Plus 4 is essentially the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G but without the Google Play Store and social media. You can opt for this phone if the only reason you want to give your kid a phone is for communication purposes. It has a dashboard for helping parents set up and manage everything.
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